Water Margin people

Chapter 1423: La Daoji Joins the Gang

"Yes!"

Zhu Wu took the order and went to make arrangements.

The soldiers quickly took the tents off the carriages and began to set them up. This time they brought standard military tents, and they were set up in a short while.

"Master Daoji, let's have a drink together!"

Sun Lei invited with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Dao Ji didn't hesitate and thanked him directly.

Chai Jin had already arranged for people to prepare the banquet, and a table of simple dishes was set out.

"Master Daoji, please don't be offended by the simple banquet in this desolate mountain and wilderness!"

Sun Lei said while looking at Dao Ji with a smile.

"I have never seen such a luxurious banquet!"

Dao Ji shook his head. He was not bound by conventions and was always fond of wine and meat, but he had been traveling at the bottom of society for many years and had seen the most common people and some wealthy people. Although Sun Lei's banquet was simple, it was actually quite luxurious considering his status as an emperor.

"Don't worry, nothing will be wasted. With Master Lu here, there won't be any soup left!"

Sun Lei took a seat with a smile.

"Brother, what are you talking about? I am a good-for-nothing!"

Lu Zhishen was not surprised and sat down with a smile. His favorite dish was rice soaked in vegetable soup, but as a military man, he did not like to waste food, so he would eat up all the food.

Dao Ji also sat down with a smile, but his tattered clothes made him very eye-catching.

The children looked at the sloppy monk Dao Ji with curiosity, their eyes full of curiosity. Even the beggars on the street were rarely so sloppy.

"Master Daoji, this is the fine wine from my collection. Give it to him today!"

Sun Lei pointed at a jar and laughed.

Wu Song couldn't wait any longer, so he took it and broke the mud seal, and a scent of wine wafted out instantly.

"It's really a good wine!"

When Dao Ji smelled the aroma of the wine, he couldn't help but sigh, he also loved wine.

"Brother, why are you so willing to give me this jar of wine today? I have been thinking about it for a long time."

Lu Zhishen smelled the aroma of wine and looked at Sun Lei curiously and asked.

"I originally wanted to open it in Quanzhou Shaolin Temple. Now that I have met Master Dao Ji, I will naturally open it to entertain him."

Sun Lei said with a smile.

"I am terrified!"

Dao Ji quickly performed a Buddhist ritual. He had a bad feeling, as if he was a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth.

Wu Song smiled and filled everyone's bowl.

Sun Lei raised his wine bowl, and everyone else raised their wine bowls at the same time, and drank it all.

"Master Daoji, I wonder why you are looking for me today?"

Sun Lei looked at Dao Ji and asked.

"Your Majesty seems to be planning to take action against Buddhism. I dare to dissuade you!"

Dao Ji looked at Sun Lei and said that the monks of Daming Temple were exiled as coolies and were now building a river embankment along the canal.

This made the entire Jiangnan Buddhist community very angry. Since ancient times, Buddhists have not engaged in production, labor service, or paid taxes. Even if they committed a crime, they would most likely be given a light sentence. Doing hard labor in public like this was a slap in the face of Buddhism. Of course, the reason why the Jiangnan Buddhist community dared to be angry was because they believed that this was just something done by the Yangzhou prefect. The entire Jiangnan Buddhist community was so intertwined that it would be no problem to deal with a Yangzhou prefect.

But after meeting Sun Lei, Dao Ji knew very well that this matter was not simple. The incident at Daming Temple was just the beginning, and the real storm had not yet come.

“Master Dao Ji, you are also an enlightened monk, and a monk who truly understands the people. Your slovenly appearance is actually the result of the people’s suffering. Just like Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who vowed not to attain Buddhahood until hell is empty, as long as there is suffering, your slovenly appearance will not fade away!”

Sun Lei looked at Jigong and said that this view came from the speculation of netizens in later generations, but Sun Lei felt it made sense.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. How dare I compare myself with the Bodhisattva?"

Dao Ji said quickly.

"If I say yes, then it's fine. How about I make you a living Buddha? Don't people call you Living Buddha Jigong?"

Sun Lei said while looking at Jigong with a smile.

"How can this poor monk be so virtuous and capable!"

Dao Ji originally just wanted to persuade Sun Lei with Buddhism and reason, but he didn't expect Sun Lei to be so enthusiastic and wanted to make him a living Buddha right away.

With Sun Lei's status as an emperor, he naturally has the right to confer titles on people in the Buddhist community. Once he is conferred the title of Living Buddha, all Buddhists in the world will have to worship him.

"Brother, didn't you say Feng Sajia?"

Lu Zhishen felt a little jealous. Sun Lei had said a long time ago that he would confer the title of Living Buddha on him, so why was it now given to another monk?

"Master Daoji, you have been traveling among the people for many years, so you should know the sufferings of the people. I can solve their material needs, but their spiritual needs must rely on religion."

"But Buddhism has a big problem now. I don't like it. Buddha claims to be able to relieve the suffering of the world, but Buddhist temples are high and mighty, far away from the secular world, turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people and only knowing how to enjoy themselves behind closed doors. Do you think this is right?"

Sun Lei looked at Jigong and asked, Jigong is different from any other monk, he roams among the people, doing charity, helping the poor and the needy, eliminating violence and upholding justice, punishing evil and promoting good, rather than being a monk, it is better to say that he is a knight in the hearts of people.

"Buddhism... has been plagued for a long time... I am just a monk, I cannot solve the mystery of Buddhism, I can only hope that the Buddha will show up!"

Monk Dao Ji's face was full of helplessness, he knew very well that Buddhism had big problems. Not to mention him, even the Sixth Patriarch Huineng had to flee south for refuge, even if Bodhidharma were alive he would not be able to solve the problem. He could only place his hopes on the Buddha.

"Buddha? He is illusory or doesn't exist at all. If you place your hope in Buddha, then I can only destroy him once more!"

Sun Lei shook his head and said that he did not believe in gods or Buddhas. The emperors of this land also never believed in ghosts and gods. They only believed in their ancestors.

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible!"

Dao Ji was shocked. He didn't expect that Sun Lei would start by talking about destroying Buddhism.

"Then Master Daoji, please help me improve Buddhism, so that those monks who enjoy themselves behind closed doors can also come out to the people like you, and truly help the people solve their problems!"

Sun Lei looked at Monk Dao Ji and said that he had originally intended to go to Quanzhou Shaolin Temple this time when he went south to see if he could find a high monk to solve the Buddhist problem.

Now that Dao Ji suddenly appears, there is a better choice. If all the Buddhist monks can be as compassionate as Dao Ji and travel around the world, then Buddha will truly be a Buddha.

"This……"

Dao Ji looked at himself, and thought about Guang Liang and the others in Lingyin Temple. How could they be willing to travel around the world? They couldn't bear the hardship.

"Master Daoji, is it difficult? It was so difficult when your Buddha was preaching! You must carry forward the spirit of hard work and struggle!"

Sun Lei looked at Dao Ji and smiled, saying that his wine was not that delicious, and that one had to work hard after drinking.

Sun Lei suddenly felt like a black-hearted businessman, who was coaxing, deceiving and threatening others.

"Your Majesty, this is not an easy matter! Even if I am willing, it is difficult to change Buddhism!"

Dao Ji said helplessly.

"Everything depends on human effort. We have Master Dao Ji in the Buddhist sect, and I will give full support to the court. With a two-pronged approach, we are not afraid that we cannot solve the problem!"

Sun Lei was overjoyed to see Jigong give in. With this monk's help, things were halfway to success.